TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in
particular, to a network slice selection method and apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A network slice technology divides a physical network into a plurality of network
slice instances. In each network slice instance, a network function is customized
and tailored and a corresponding network function is orchestrated and managed based
on a service scenario requirement. A network and management are customized, so that
a customized requirement of each service of a consumer and an enterprise is better
satisfied, and a plurality of services are implemented relatively independently while
the services share one broadband network infrastructure. The customized requirement
includes coverage, duration, a capacity, a speed, a delay, reliability, security,
availability, and the like. Each network slice instance may be considered as a core
network architecture. A network slice instance may be applied to mobile broadband,
multimedia, massive machine type communication, and critical machine type communication.
[0003] In the prior art, in a same public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network,
PLMN), a user equipment (User Equipment, UE) may access only one network slice instance,
or may access a plurality of network slice instances and simultaneously use different
services provided by the plurality of network slice instances. In a home routed (home
routed) roaming scenario, when UE roams to a visited public land mobile network (Visited
Public Land Mobile Network, VPLMN), a service requested by the UE needs to be jointly
provided by the VPLMN and a home public land mobile network (Home Public Land Mobile
Network, HPLMN). In a scenario in which a network slice technology is supported, the
service requested by the UE needs to be jointly provided by two slice instances of
the VPLMN and the HPLMN.
[0004] In the scenario in which the UE roams and the network slice technology is supported,
a network slice selection method needs to be provided, so that the two PLMNs can select
proper network slice instances to provide the service to the UE, and user experience
of the roaming UE is ensured in the scenario in which the network slice technology
is supported.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a network slice selection method and
apparatus, to resolve a problem that in a scenario in which UE roams, a service requested
by the UE needs to be provided by proper network slices jointly selected by a VPLMN
and an HPLMN.
[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice selection method. The method includes:
receiving, by a first slice selection function (Slice Selection Function, SSF) device
of a VPLMN, a first service request message sent by UE; obtaining, by the first SSF
device, roaming information of user equipment UE according to the first service request
message; and selecting a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based
on the roaming information of the UE.
[0007] In a possible design, after the selecting a first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE, the method further includes:
sending, by the first SSF device, a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN, and receiving, by the first SSF device, a slice selection response
message sent by the second SSF device, where the network slice selection request is
used to request the second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network slice
instance in the HPLMN for the UE, the slice selection response message includes information
about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the UE by the second
SSF device, and the information about the second network slice instance is used to
instruct a first SM function in the first network slice instance to address a second
SM function and interact with the second SM function to establish a session connection.
[0008] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first SSF device selects the first
network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE, the second SSF device selects the
second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE, and the first network slice
instance and the second network slice instance jointly provide a service for the UE.
[0009] In a possible design, before the receiving, by a first SSF device of a VPLMN, a first
service request message sent by UE, the method further includes: receiving, by the
first SSF device, an attach request of the UE, querying, by the first SSF device,
subscription information of the UE from a user subscription database of the HPLMN
of the UE based on an international mobile subscriber identity (International Mobile
Subscriber Identification Number, IMSI) of the UE, determining, by the first SSF device
based on the subscription information, information carried in the attach request,
and an HPLMN ID or indication information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber,
a mobility management MM function required by the UE, and sending, by the first SSF
device, an attach request message to the MM function.
[0010] In a possible design, the roaming information of the UE includes: the indication
information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and/or the home public
land mobile network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE.
[0011] In a possible design, after receiving the first service request message, the first
SSF device determines a slice type of the first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE. In a possible design, after
receiving the first service request message, the first SSF device determines the first
network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of
the UE; or determines the first network slice instance and a network function in the
first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE.
[0012] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first network slice instance is
in a specified correspondence with the network function in the first network slice
instance.
[0013] In a possible design, the network function in the first network slice instance includes:
a mobility management (Mobility Management, MM) function and/or a first session management
(Session Management, SM) function.
[0014] In a possible design, the network slice selection request includes: the slice type
of the first network slice instance.
[0015] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: a visited
public land mobile network identifier VPLMN ID.
[0016] In a possible design, the information about the second network slice instance includes:
a slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of the second SM function of the second network
slice instance.
[0017] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice selection method. The method includes:
receiving, by a second SSF device of an HPLMN, a network slice selection request;
after receiving the network slice selection request, selecting, by the second SSF
device, a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on information
about a visited network of the UE; and sending, by the second SSF device, a slice
selection response message, where the slice selection response message includes information
about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the UE by the second
SSF device.
[0018] In a possible design, the network slice selection request received by the second
SSF device of the HPLMN is sent by a first SSF device of a VPLMN.
[0019] In a possible design, the network slice selection request received by the second
SSF device of the HPLMN is sent by a first SM function in a first network slice instance
of a VPLMN.
[0020] In a possible design, the second SSF device sends the slice selection response message
to the first SSF device of the VPLMN.
[0021] In a possible design, the second SSF device sends the slice selection response message
to the first SM of the VPLMN.
[0022] In a possible design, after receiving the network slice selection request, the second
SSF device determines a slice type of the second network slice instance in the HPLMN
for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the user equipment
UE.
[0023] In a possible design, after receiving the network slice selection request, the second
SSF device determines the second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based
on the information about the visited network of the user equipment UE; or determines
the second network slice instance and a network function in the second network slice
instance for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the user
equipment UE.
[0024] In a possible design, the information about the visited network includes: a slice
type of the first network slice instance and/or a visited public land mobile network
identifier VPLMN ID.
[0025] In a possible design, the network function in the second network slice instance includes:
a second session management SM function.
[0026] In a possible design, the information about the second network slice instance includes:
a slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of a second SM function of the second network
slice instance, and the information about the second network slice instance is used
to instruct the first SM function in the first network slice instance to address the
second SM function in the second network slice instance and interact with the second
SM function to establish a session connection.
[0027] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice selection method. The method includes:
receiving, by a first SM function of a VPLMN, a second service request message; after
receiving the second service request message, sending, by the first SM, a network
slice selection request to a second SSF device of an HPLMN; and receiving, by the
first SM, a slice selection response message sent by the second SSF device, where
the second service request message is used to request a first service and instruct
the first SM function to establish a session connection for the first service, the
network slice selection request is used to instruct the second SSF device of the HPLMN
to select a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for user equipment UE, and
the slice selection response message includes information about the second network
slice instance selected in the HPLMN by the second SSF device.
[0028] In a possible design, the network slice selection request includes: a slice type
of a first network slice instance.
[0029] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: a VPLMN
ID.
[0030] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: an ID
of the first network slice instance and/or an identifier of the first SM function
in the first network slice instance, and the ID of the first network slice instance
and/or the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice instance
is used to instruct a second SM function in the second network slice instance to address
the first SM function and interact with the first SM function to establish a session
connection.
[0031] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice instance selection apparatus. The apparatus includes: a first receiving unit,
configured to receive a first service request message sent by UE; and a first processing
unit, configured to: obtain roaming information of user equipment UE according to
the first service request message received by the first receiving unit, and select
a first network slice instance in a VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE.
[0032] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a first sending unit. The first
sending unit is configured to send a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN. Then, the first receiving unit is further configured to receive
a slice selection response message sent by the second SSF device. The network slice
selection request is used to request the second SSF device of the HPLMN to select
a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE, the slice selection response
message includes information about the second network slice instance selected in the
HPLMN for the UE by the second SSF device, and the information about the second network
slice instance is used to instruct a first SM function in the first network slice
instance to address a second SM function and interact with the second SM function
to establish a session connection.
[0033] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving unit, the first
processing unit, and the first sending unit belong to a first SSF device of the VPLMN.
The first SSF device selects the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the
UE, the second SSF device selects the second network slice instance in the HPLMN for
the UE, and the first network slice instance and the second network slice instance
jointly provide a service for the UE.
[0034] In a possible design, before receiving the first service request message sent by
the UE,
the first receiving unit receives an attach request of the UE; the first processing
unit queries subscription information of the UE from a user subscription database
of the HPLMN of the UE based on an international mobile subscriber identity of the
UE; and determines, based on the subscription information, information carried in
the attach request, and an HPLMN ID or indication information indicating that the
UE is a roaming subscriber, a mobility management MM function required by the UE;
and the first sending unit sends an attach request message to the MM function.
[0035] In a possible design, the roaming information of the UE includes: the indication
information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and/or the home public
land mobile network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE.
[0036] In a possible design, after the first receiving unit receives the first service request
message, the first processing unit determines a slice type of the first network slice
instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0037] In a possible design, after the first receiving unit receives the first service request
message, the first processing unit determines the first network slice instance in
the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE; or determines the
first network slice instance and a network function in the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0038] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first network slice instance is
in a specified correspondence with the network function in the first network slice
instance.
[0039] In a possible design, the network function in the first network slice instance includes:
a mobility management MM function and/or a first session management SM function.
[0040] In a possible design, the network slice selection request includes: the slice type
of the first network slice instance.
[0041] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: a visited
public land mobile network identifier VPLMN ID.
[0042] In a possible design, the information about the second network slice instance includes:
a slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of the second SM function of the second network
slice instance.
[0043] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice selection apparatus. The apparatus includes: a second receiving unit, configured
to receive a network slice selection request; a second processing unit, configured
to: after the second receiving unit receives the network slice selection request,
select a second network slice instance in an HPLMN for the UE based on information
about a visited network of the UE; and a second sending unit, configured to send a
slice selection response message, where the slice selection response message includes
information about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the
UE by a second SSF device.
[0044] In this embodiment of the present invention, the second receiving unit, the second
processing unit, and the second sending unit belong to the second SSF device of the
HPLMN.
[0045] In a possible design, the network slice selection request received by the second
receiving unit is sent by a first SSF device of a VPLMN.
[0046] In a possible design, the network slice selection request received by the second
receiving unit is sent by a first SM function in a first network slice instance of
a VPLMN.
[0047] In a possible design, the second sending unit sends the slice selection response
message to the first SSF device of the VPLMN.
[0048] In a possible design, the second sending unit sends the slice selection response
message to the first SM of the VPLMN.
[0049] In a possible design, after the second receiving unit receives the network slice
selection request, the second processing unit determines a slice type of the second
network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the
visited network of the user equipment UE.
[0050] In a possible design, after the second receiving unit receives the network slice
selection request, the second processing unit determines the second network slice
instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited network
of the user equipment UE; or determines the first network slice instance and a network
function in the second network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on roaming
information of the UE.
[0051] In a possible design, the information about the visited network includes: a slice
type of the first network slice instance and/or a visited public land mobile network
identifier VPLMN ID.
[0052] In a possible design, the network function in the second network slice instance includes:
a second session management SM function.
[0053] In a possible design, the information about the second network slice instance includes:
a slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of a second SM function of the second network
slice instance, and the information about the second network slice instance is used
to instruct the first SM function in the first network slice instance to address the
second SM function in the second network slice instance and interact with the second
SM function to establish a session connection.
[0054] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network
slice instance selection apparatus. The apparatus includes: a third receiving unit,
configured to receive a second service request message, and a third sending unit,
configured to: after the third receiving unit receives the second service request
message, send a network slice selection request to a second SSF device of an HPLMN.
Then, the third receiving unit receives a slice selection response message sent by
the second SSF device. The second service request message is used to request a first
service and instruct the first SM function to establish a session connection for the
first service, the network slice selection request is used to instruct the second
SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for
user equipment UE, and the slice selection response message includes information about
the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN by the second SSF device.
[0055] In this embodiment of the present invention, the third receiving unit, the third
processing unit, and the third sending unit belong to a first SM device of the VPLMN.
[0056] In a possible design, the network slice selection request includes: a slice type
of a first network slice instance.
[0057] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: a VPLMN
ID.
[0058] In a possible design, the network slice selection request further includes: an ID
of the first network slice instance and/or an identifier of the first SM function
in the first network slice instance, and the ID of the first network slice instance
and/or the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice instance
is used to instruct a second SM function in the second network slice instance to address
the first SM function and interact with the first SM function to establish a session
connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0059]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a home routed roaming architecture according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a network slice instance selection method according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of attaching by UE according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of another network slice instance selection method
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another network slice instance selection method
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another network slice instance selection method
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another network slice instance selection method
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a network slice instance selection apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another network slice instance selection
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another network slice instance selection
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0060] The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of
the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some but not
all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by
persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention
without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, user equipment UE accesses an evolved packet core (Evolved Packet
Core, EPC) network by using an evolved terrestrial radio access network (Evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN). In a home routed roaming architecture
of EPC, UE establishes an S8 bearer between an S-GW network element of a VPLMN and
a PDN gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW) of an HPLMN by using a serving gateway (Serving
Gateway, S-GW) of the VPLMN, and the P-GW of the HPLMN establishes a connection to
an external PDN.
[0062] The user equipment UE described in this application may include various handheld
devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, and computing devices having a wireless
communication function, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, and
user equipments (User Equipment, UE) in various forms. A slice selection function
(Slice Selection Function, SSF) is configured to select a network slice instance in
an HPLMN and a VPLMN. A mobility management (Mobility Management, MM) function indicates
a function that can be implemented by a network slice instance in the HPLMN and the
VPLMN. A first session management (Session Management, SM) function is configured
to establish a session connection between a network slice instance of the HPLMN and
a network slice instance of the VPLMN. For ease of description, in this application,
the devices mentioned above are all referred to as user equipment or UE.
[0063] An embodiment of the present invention provides a network slice instance selection
method. As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes the following process:
S21. A first SSF device of a VPLMN receives a first service request message.
S22. The first SSF device obtains roaming information of user equipment UE according
to the first service request message.
S23. The first SSF device selects a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for
the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0064] In this embodiment of the present invention, after step S23, the method further includes:
sending, by the first SSF device, a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN, where the network slice selection request is used to request the
second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network slice instance in the HPLMN
for the UE, and receiving, by the first SSF device, a slice selection response message
sent by the second SSF device, where the slice selection response message includes
information about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the
UE by the second SSF device, and the information about the second network slice instance
is used to instruct a first SM function in the first network slice instance to address
a second SM function and interact with the second SM function to establish a session
connection.
[0065] In this embodiment of the present invention, after step S23, the method further includes:
forwarding, by the first SSF device, a service request message to an MM function in
the first network slice instance, so that the MM function triggers the first SM function
in the first network slice instance to send the network slice selection request to
the second SSF device of the HPLMN. The network slice selection request is used to
request the second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network slice instance
in the HPLMN for the UE.
[0066] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first SSF device selects the first
network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE, the second SSF device selects the
second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE, and the first network slice
instance and the second network slice instance jointly provide a service for the UE.
[0067] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first service request message sent
by the UE and received by the first SSF device of the VPLMN may be an attach request
of the UE that carries a requested service type, and is used to request to register
with a network and request the network to establish a session connection for the service.
The attach request may be alternatively sent before the first SSF device of the VPLMN
receives the first service request message sent by the UE. For an initial attach procedure
in which the UE attaches to the VPLMN, refer to FIG. 3.
[0068] Step 301. The UE sends an initial attach request message to request to register with
a network.
[0069] Step 302. A first SSF device receives the initial attach request message forwarded
by an access network (Access Network, AN), and queries subscription information of
the UE from a user subscription database of an HPLMN of the UE based on an international
mobile subscriber identity IMSI of the UE, to complete authentication of the UE.
[0070] Step 303. The first SSF device determines, based on the subscription information,
information carried in the initial attach request message, and an HPLMN ID or indication
information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber, a mobility management
MM function required by the UE.
[0071] Step 304. The first SSF device sends the initial attach request message to the MM
function.
[0072] Step 305. The MM function selects an authentication and authorization AU function
to perform an authentication and slice authorization process.
[0073] Step 306. The MM function sends an attach accept message to the first SSF device,
where the attach accept message carries a temporary identifier (Temporary ID) of the
UE.
[0074] Step 307. The SSF device forwards the attach accept message to the UE by using the
AN.
[0075] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first service request message sent
by the UE and received by the first SSF device of the VPLMN may be alternatively a
session establishment request message, and is used to request the network to establish
a session connection for a service requested by the UE.
[0076] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first network slice instance is
selected in the VPLMN, and the second network slice instance is selected in the HPLMN.
The first network slice instance and the second network slice instance jointly provide
a service for the UE by interaction between various functions in the VPLMN and the
HPLMN. Selection of the first network slice instance and the second network slice
instance and an interaction process are described in detail below by using four embodiments.
[0077] Embodiment 1: When a VPLMN directly sends a network slice selection request to a
second SSF device of an HPLMN by using a first SSF device, a process of interaction
between the VPLMN and the HPLMN is shown in FIG. 4.
[0078] Step 401. UE sends a first service request message to an AN node of a VPLMN, where
the first service request message includes at least an identifier of the UE, a service
type (service type), or an access point name (Access Point Name, APN), and the identifier
of the UE may be a temporary identifier of the UE or an IMSI of the UE.
[0079] Step 402. The AN node forwards the first service request message to an MM function
of the VPLMN based on the identifier of the UE.
[0080] Step 403. The MM function forwards the first service request message to a first SSF
device of the VPLMN, indicates to the SSF device of the VPLMN that a service requested
by the UE is of a home-routed (home-routed) type, determines, based on subscription
data of the UE, that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and determines, based on the
service type or the APN, that a service type requested by the UE is of the home-routed
type.
[0081] Step 404. The first SSF device selects a first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on roaming information of the UE, where the roaming information of
the UE includes: indication information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber
and/or a home public land mobile network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE. The selecting,
by the first SSF device, a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based
on roaming information of the UE includes: determining, by the first SSF device, a
slice type of the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the
roaming information of the UE; or determining the first network slice instance in
the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE; or determining the
first network slice instance and a network function in the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE. The network function
in the first network slice instance includes a mobility management MM function and/or
a first session management SM function.
[0082] Step 405. The first SSF device of the VPLMN sends a network slice selection request
to a second SSF device of an HPLMN, where the network slice selection request carries
the service type (or the APN) requested by the UE, the identifier of the UE, and the
slice type of the first network slice instance, the network slice selection request
further optionally carries a VPLMN ID, and the identifier of the UE is the IMSI of
the UE.
[0083] Step 406. The second SSF device of the HPLMN obtains subscription information of
the UE from a user subscription database.
[0084] Step 407. The second SSF device of the HPLMN selects a second network slice instance
for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE, where the information
about the visited network includes the slice type of the first network slice instance
and/or the visited public land mobile network identifier VPLMN ID. The selecting,
by the second SSF device, a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE
based on information about a visited network of the UE includes: determining, by the
second SSF device, the second network slice instance for the UE based on the information
about the visited network of the UE, or determining the second network slice instance
and a network function in the second network slice instance for the UE based on the
information about the visited network of the UE. The network function in the second
network slice instance includes a second session management SM function.
[0085] Step 408. The SSF device of the HPLMN sends a slice selection response message to
the SSF device of the VPLMN, where the slice selection response message includes information
about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the UE by the second
SSF device, the information about the second network slice instance includes: a slice
type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network slice
instance and/or an identifier of a second SM function of the second network slice
instance, the information about the second network slice instance is used to instruct
a first SM function in the first network slice instance to address the second SM function
in the second network slice instance and interact with the second SM function to establish
a session connection, and the identifier of the second SM function may be an IP address
of the second SM function.
[0086] Step 409. The first SSF device of the VPLMN sends a second service request message
to a first MM function of the VPLMN, where the second service request message includes
at least the identifier of the UE, the ID of the first network slice instance or the
slice type of the first network slice instance, and the information about the second
network slice instance, the information about the second network slice instance includes:
the slice type of the second network slice instance and/or the ID of the second network
slice instance and/or the identifier of the second SM function corresponding to the
second network slice instance, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary identifier
of the UE. Optionally, the second service request message further includes the HPLMN
ID, and the second service request message further includes an identifier of the first
SM function of the first network slice instance.
[0087] Step 410. The first MM function of the VPLMN sends a third service request message
to the first SM function corresponding to the first network slice instance of the
VPLMN, where the third service request message includes at least the identifier of
the UE, and the slice type of the second network slice instance and/or the ID of the
second network slice instance and/or the identifier of the second SM function corresponding
to the second network slice instance, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary
identifier of the UE. Optionally, the third service request message further includes
the HPLMN ID.
[0088] Step 411. The first SM function of the VPLMN addresses the corresponding second SM
function of the HPLMN based on the slice type of the second network slice instance
of the HPLMN and/or the ID of the second network slice instance and/or the identifier
of the second SM corresponding to the second network slice instance, sends a session
establishment request to the second SM function, and interacts with the second SM
function to complete a session establishment process. Optionally, the corresponding
second SM function may be addressed based on the first SM function. Alternatively,
the corresponding second SM function is addressed based on the HPLMN ID and the slice
type of the second network slice instance of the HPLMN, based on the HPLMN ID and
ID information of the second network slice instance of the HPLMN, or based on the
HPLMN ID and the identifier of the second SM function of the second network slice
instance.
[0089] Step 412. The first SM function of the VPLMN returns a service request response message
to the first MM function of the VPLMN, and the first MM function of the VPLMN forwards
the service request response message to the UE by using an AN.
[0090] In the present invention, a network slice type of a network slice instance refers
to information such as a network slice type identifier that can identify or indicate
a slice type of the network slice instance.
[0091] Embodiment 2: When a VPLMN sends a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN by using a first SM, a process of interaction between the VPLMN
and the HPLMN is shown in FIG. 5.
[0092] Step 501. UE sends a first service request message to an AN node of a VPLMN, where
the first service request message includes at least an identifier of the UE, a service
type, or an APN, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary identifier of the
UE or an IMSI of the UE.
[0093] Step 502. The AN node forwards the first service request message to an MM function
of the VPLMN based on the identifier of the UE.
[0094] Step 503. The MM function forwards the first service request message to a first SSF
device of the VPLMN, indicates to the SSF device of the VLPMN that a service requested
by the UE is of a home-routed type, determines, based on subscription data of the
UE, that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and determines, based on the service type
or the APN, that a service type requested by the UE is of the home-routed type.
[0095] Step 504. The first SSF device selects a first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on roaming information of the UE, where the roaming information of
the UE includes: indication information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber
and/or an HPLMN ID of the UE. The selecting, by the first SSF device, a first network
slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on roaming information of the UE includes:
determining, by the first SSF device, a slice type of the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE; or determining
the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE; or determining the first network slice instance and a network function
in the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE. The network function in the first network slice instance includes a mobility
management MM function and/or a first session management SM function.
[0096] Step 505. The first SSF device of the VPLMN sends a second service request message
to a first MM function of the VPLMN, where the second service request message carries
at least the service type (or the APN) requested by the UE, the identifier of the
UE, and the slice type of the first network slice instance or an ID of the first network
slice instance, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary identifier of the
UE. Optionally, the second service request message further includes the HPLMN ID.
Optionally, the second service request message further includes an identifier of a
first SM function of the first network slice instance.
[0097] Step 506. The first MM function of the VPLMN sends a third service request message
to the first SM function of the VPLMN, where the third service request message is
used to request a first service and instruct the first SM function to establish a
session connection for the first service. The third service request message includes
at least the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary
identifier of the UE. Optionally, the third service request message further includes:
the ID of the first network slice instance and/or the slice type of the first network
slice instance. When the selecting, by the first SSF device, a first network slice
instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on roaming information of the UE in step 504
includes: determining, by the first SSF device, the slice type of the first network
slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE,
before performing the sending, by the first MM function, a third service request message
to the first SM function in step 506, the method further includes: determining, by
the first MM function, the first network slice instance and the first SM function
in the first network slice instance based on the slice type of the first network slice
instance that is determined by the first SSF device.
[0098] Step 507. The first SM function of the VPLMN sends a network slice selection request
to a second SSF device of an HPLMN, where the network slice selection request carries
at least the slice type of the first network slice instance, the service type (or
the APN) requested by the UE, and the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the
UE may be the IMSI of the UE, and the network slice selection request further optionally
carries a VPLMN ID.
[0099] Step 508. The second SSF device of the HPLMN obtains subscription information of
the UE from a user subscription database.
[0100] Step 509. The second SSF device of the HPLMN selects a second network slice instance
for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE, where the information
about the visited network includes the slice type of the first network slice instance
and/or the VPLMN ID. The selecting, by the second SSF device, the first network slice
instance for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE includes:
determining a slice type of the second network slice instance for the UE based on
the information about the visited network of the UE, or determining the second network
slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the
UE, or determining the second network slice instance and a network function in the
second network slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited
network of the UE. The network function in the second network slice instance includes
a second session management SM function.
[0101] Step 510. The SSF device of the HPLMN sends a slice selection response message to
the first SM of the VPLMN, where the slice selection response message includes information
about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the UE by the second
SSF device, the information about the second network slice instance includes: a slice
type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network slice
instance and/or an identifier of a second SM function of the second network slice
instance, the information about the second network slice instance is used to instruct
a first SM function in the first network slice instance to address the second SM function
in the second network slice instance and interact with the second SM function to establish
a session connection, and the identifier of the second SM function may be an IP address
of the second SM function.
[0102] Step 511. The first SM function of the VPLMN addresses the corresponding second SM
function of the HPLMN based on the slice type of the second network slice instance
of the HPLMN and/or the ID of the second network slice instance and/or the identifier
of the second SM corresponding to the second network slice instance, sends a session
establishment request to the second SM function, and interacts with the second SM
function to complete a session establishment process. Optionally, the corresponding
second SM function may be addressed based on the first SM function. Alternatively,
the corresponding second SM function may be addressed based on the HPLMN ID and the
slice type of the second network slice instance of the HPLMN, based on the HPLMN ID
and ID information of the second network slice instance of the HPLMN, or based on
the HPLMN ID and the identifier of the second SM function of the second network slice
instance.
[0103] Step 512. The first SM function of the VPLMN returns a service request response message
to the first MM function of the VPLMN, and the first MM function of the VPLMN forwards
the service request response message to the UE by using the AN.
[0104] Embodiment 3: When a VPLMN sends a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN by using a first SM, another process of interaction between the
VPLMN and the HPLMN is shown in FIG. 6.
[0105] Step 601. UE sends a first service request message to an AN node of a VPLMN, where
the first service request message includes at least an identifier of the UE, a service
type, or an APN, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary identifier of the
UE or an IMSI of the UE.
[0106] Step 602. The AN node forwards the first service request message to an MM function
of the VPLMN based on the identifier of the UE.
[0107] Step 603. The MM function forwards the first service request message to a first SSF
device of the VPLMN, indicates to the SSF device of the VLPMN that a service requested
by the UE is of a home-routed type, determines, based on subscription data of the
UE, that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and determines, based on the service type
or the APN, that a service type requested by the UE is of the home-routed type.
[0108] Step 604. The first SSF device selects a first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on roaming information of the UE, where the roaming information of
the UE includes: indication information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber
and/or a home public land mobile network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE. The selecting,
by the first SSF device, a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based
on roaming information of the UE includes: determining, by the first SSF device, a
slice type of the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the
roaming information of the UE; or selecting the first network slice instance in the
VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE; or selecting the first
network slice instance and a network function in the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE. The network function
in the first network slice instance includes a mobility management MM function and/or
a first session management SM function.
[0109] Step 605. The first SSF device of the VPLMN sends a second service request message
to a first MM function of the VPLMN, where the second service request message carries
at least the service type (or the APN) requested by the UE, the identifier of the
UE, and the slice type of the first network slice instance or an ID of the first network
slice instance. Optionally, the second service request message further includes the
HPLMN ID, the second service request message further includes an identifier of the
first SM function of the first network slice instance, and the identifier of the UE
may be a temporary identifier of the UE.
[0110] Step 606. The first MM function of the VPLMN sends a third service request message
to the first SM function of the VPLMN, where the third service request message is
used to request a first service and instruct the first SM function to establish a
session connection for the first service. The third service request message includes
at least the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary
identifier of the UE. Optionally, the third service request message further includes:
the ID of the first network slice instance and/or the slice type of the first network
slice instance. When the selecting, by the first SSF device, a first network slice
instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on roaming information of the UE in step 604
includes: determining, by the first SSF device, the slice type of the first network
slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE,
before performing the sending, by the first MM function, a third service request message
to the first SM function in step 606, the method further includes: determining, by
the first MM function, the first network slice instance and the first SM function
in the first network slice instance based on the slice type of the first network slice
instance that is determined by the first SSF device.
[0111] Step 607. The first SM function of the VPLMN sends a network slice selection request
to a second SSF device of an HPLMN, where the network slice selection request carries
the slice type of the first network slice instance, the service type (or the APN)
requested by the UE, and an identifier of the UE (IMSI), and the identifier of the
UE may be the IMSI of the UE. Optionally, the network slice selection request further
carries a VPLMN ID. Optionally, the network slice selection request further carries
the ID of the first network slice instance and/or the identifier of the first SM function
in the first network slice instance, and an identifier of a user plane function in
the first network slice instance, the identifier of the first SM function may be an
IP address of the first SM function, and the identifier of the user plane function
in the first network slice instance may be an IP address of the user plane function.
The identifier of the UE may be the IMSI of the UE. Optionally, the network slice
selection request further carries the VPLMN ID.
[0112] Step 608. The second SSF device of the HPLMN obtains subscription information of
the UE from a user subscription database.
[0113] Step 609. The second SSF device of the HPLMN selects a second network slice instance
for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE, where the information
about the visited network includes the slice type of the first network slice instance
and/or the VPLMN ID. The selecting, by the second SSF device, the first network slice
instance for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE includes:
determining a slice type of the second network slice instance for the UE based on
the information about the visited network of the UE, or determining the second network
slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the
UE, or determining the second network slice instance and a network function in the
second network slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited
network of the UE. The network function in the second network slice instance includes
a second session management SM function.
[0114] Step 610. The second SSF device of the HPLMN sends a fourth service request message
to a second SM function of the HPLMN, where the fourth service request message is
used to request a first service and instruct the second SM function to establish a
session connection for the first service. The fourth service request message includes
at least the identifier of the UE, the VPLMN ID, and the ID of the first network slice
instance and/or the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice
instance, and the identifier of the UE may be the temporary identifier of the UE.
[0115] Step 611. The second SM function of the HPLMN completes user plane establishment
of a home network, where a message transferred to a user plane function of the home
network includes the identifier of the user plane function in the first network slice
instance. Optionally, the message transferred to the user plane function of the home
network further includes the ID of the first network slice instance of the VPLMN or
the identifier of the first SM function corresponding to the first network slice instance.
[0116] Step 612. The second SM function of the HPLMN sends a first service response message
to the second SSF device of the HPLMN, where the first service response message carries
an identifier of a user plane function in the second network slice instance.
[0117] Step 613. The second SSF device of the HPLMN sends a slice selection response message
to the first SM of the VPLMN, where the slice selection response message includes
information about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the
UE by the second SSF device, and the information about the second network slice instance
is used to instruct the first SM function in the first network slice instance to address
the second SM function in the second network slice instance. The information about
the second network slice instance includes: the identifier of the user plane function
in the second network slice instance. The identifier of the user plane function in
the second network slice instance may be an IP address of the user plane function.
Optionally, the information about the second network slice instance further includes:
the slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of the second SM function of the second network
slice instance, and the identifier of the second SM function may be an IP address
of the second SM function.
[0118] Step 614. The first SM function of the VPLMN triggers to complete visited user plane
establishment, where a message transferred to a user plane function of a home network
includes the identifier of the user plane function in the second network slice instance.
Optionally, the message transferred to the user plane function of the home network
further includes the ID of the second network slice instance of the HPLMN or the identifier
of the second SM function corresponding to the second network slice instance.
[0119] Step 615. The first SM function of the VPLMN returns a second service request response
message to the first MM function of the VPLMN, and the first MM function of the VPLMN
forwards the service request response message to the UE by using an AN.
[0120] Optionally, after step 606 and before step 607, the method may further include:
Step 606'. The first SM function of the VPLMN chooses to trigger to complete visited
user plane establishment, where a message transferred to a user plane function includes
a QoS requirement of a session connection to be established. If this step exists,
in step 614, the first SM function of the VPLMN updates a user plane.
[0121] Embodiment 4: When a VPLMN sends a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of an HPLMN by using a first SM, another process of interaction between the
VPLMN and the HPLMN is shown in FIG. 7.
[0122] Steps 701 to 706 are the same as the foregoing steps 601 to 606.
[0123] Step 707. The first SM function of the VPLMN sends a network slice selection request
to a second SSF device of an HPLMN, where the network slice selection request carries
the slice type of the first network slice instance, the service type (or the APN)
requested by the UE, and an IMSI of the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of
the UE may be an IMSI of the UE. Optionally, the network slice selection request further
carries a VPLMN ID. Optionally, the network slice selection request further carries
the ID of the first network slice instance and/or the identifier of the first SM function
in the first network slice instance. The ID of the first network slice instance and/or
the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice instance are used
to instruct the second SM function in the second network slice instance to address
the first SM function and interact with the first SM function to establish a session
connection. The identifier of the first SM function may be an IP address of the first
SM function. The identifier of the UE may be the IMSI of the UE. Optionally, the network
slice selection request further carries the VPLMN ID.
[0124] Step 708. The second SSF device of the HPLMN obtains subscription information of
the UE from a user subscription database.
[0125] Step 709. The second SSF device of the HPLMN selects a second network slice instance
for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE, where the information
about the visited network includes the slice type of the first network slice instance
and/or the VPLMN ID. The selecting, by the second SSF device, the first network slice
instance for the UE based on information about a visited network of the UE includes:
determining a slice type of the second network slice instance for the UE based on
the information about the visited network of the UE, or determining the second network
slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the
UE, or determining the second network slice instance and a network function in the
second network slice instance for the UE based on the information about the visited
network of the UE. The network function in the second network slice instance includes
a second session management SM function.
[0126] Step 710. The second SSF device of the HPLMN sends a fourth service request message
to a second SM function of the HPLMN, where the fourth service request message is
used to request a first service and instruct the second SM function to establish a
session connection for the first service. The fourth service request message includes
at least the identifier of the UE, the VPLMN ID, and the ID of the first network slice
instance and/or the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice
instance, and the identifier of the UE may be a temporary identifier of the UE.
[0127] Step 711. The second SM function of the HPLMN addresses the corresponding first SM
function of the VPLMN based on the slice type of the first network slice instance
of the VPLMN or the ID of the first network slice instance or the identifier of the
first SM function corresponding to the first network slice instance, sends a session
establishment request to the first SM function, and interacts with the first SM function
to complete a session establishment process. The session establishment request includes
the slice selection response message. Optionally, the corresponding first SM function
may be addressed based on the second SM function, based on the VPLMN ID and the slice
type of the first network slice instance of the VPLMN, based on the VPLMN ID and ID
information of the first network slice instance of the VPLMN, or based on the VPLMN
ID and the identifier of the first SM corresponding to the first network slice instance.
[0128] Step 712. The first SM function of the VPLMN returns a service request response message
to the first MM function of the VPLMN, and the first MM function of the VPLMN forwards
the service request response message to the UE by using the AN.
[0129] Based on the same inventive idea, an embodiment of the present invention provides
a network slice instance selection apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus includes:
a first receiving unit 81, configured to receive a first service request message sent
by UE; and a first processing unit 82, configured to: obtain roaming information of
user equipment UE according to the first service request message received by the first
receiving unit, and select a first network slice instance in a VPLMN for the UE based
on the roaming information of the UE.
[0130] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a first sending unit 83. The first sending
unit 83 is configured to send a network slice selection request to a second SSF device
of an HPLMN. The first receiving unit 81 is further configured to receive a slice
selection response message sent by the second SSF device. The network slice selection
request is used to request the second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network
slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE, the slice selection response message includes
information about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the
UE by the second SSF device, and the information about the second network slice instance
is used to instruct a first SM function in the first network slice instance to address
a second SM function and interact with the second SM function to establish a session
connection.
[0131] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving unit 81, the first
processing unit 82, and the first sending unit 83 belong to a first SSF device of
the VPLMN. The first SSF device may be disposed as a separate device, or may be disposed
in a same device together with another function.
[0132] The first SSF device selects the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the
UE, the second SSF device selects the second network slice instance in the HPLMN for
the UE, and the first network slice instance and the second network slice instance
jointly provide a service for the UE.
[0133] Optionally, before receiving the first service request message sent by the UE, the
first receiving unit 81 receives an attach request of the UE. The first processing
unit 82 queries subscription information of the UE from a user subscription database
of the HPLMN of the UE based on an international mobile subscriber identity of the
UE; and determines, based on the subscription information, information carried in
the attach request, and an HPLMN ID or indication information indicating that the
UE is a roaming subscriber, a mobility management MM function required by the UE.
The first sending unit sends an attach request message to the MM function.
[0134] Optionally, the roaming information of the UE includes: the indication information
indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and/or the home public land mobile
network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE.
[0135] Optionally, after the first receiving unit 81 receives the first service request
message, the first processing unit 82 determines a slice type of the first network
slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0136] Optionally, after the first receiving unit 81 receives the first service request
message, the first processing unit 82 determines the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0137] Optionally, after the first receiving unit 81 receives the first service request
message, the first processing unit 82 determines the first network slice instance
and a network function in the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE
based on the roaming information of the UE.
[0138] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first network slice instance is
in a specified correspondence with the network function in the first network slice
instance.
[0139] Optionally, the network function in the first network slice instance includes a mobility
management MM function and/or a first session management SM function.
[0140] Optionally, the network slice selection request includes: the slice type of the first
network slice instance.
[0141] Optionally, the network slice selection request further includes: a visited public
land mobile network identifier VPLMN ID.
[0142] Optionally, the information about the second network slice instance includes: a slice
type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network slice
instance and/or an identifier of the second SM function of the second network slice
instance.
[0143] An embodiment of the present invention provides a network slice selection apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus includes: a second receiving unit 91, configured
to receive a network slice selection request; a second processing unit 92, configured
to: after the second receiving unit 91 receives the network slice selection request,
select a second network slice instance in an HPLMN for the UE based on information
about a visited network of the UE; and a second sending unit 93, configured to send
a slice selection response message, where the slice selection response message includes
information about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN for the
UE by a second SSF device.
[0144] Optionally, the second receiving unit 91, the second processing unit 92, and the
second sending unit 93 belong to the second SSF device of the HPLMN.
[0145] Optionally, the network slice selection request received by the second receiving
unit 91 is sent by a first SSF device of a VPLMN.
[0146] Optionally, the network slice selection request received by the second receiving
unit 91 is sent by a first SM function in a first network slice instance of a VPLMN.
[0147] Optionally, the second sending unit 93 sends the slice selection response message
to the first SSF device of the VPLMN.
[0148] Optionally, the second sending unit 93 sends the slice selection response message
to the first SM of the VPLMN.
[0149] Optionally, after the second receiving unit 91 receives the network slice selection
request, the second processing unit 92 determines a slice type of the second network
slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited
network of the user equipment UE.
[0150] Optionally, after the second receiving unit 91 receives the network slice selection
request, the second processing unit 92 determines the second network slice instance
in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the
user equipment UE.
[0151] Optionally, after the second receiving unit 91 receives the network slice selection
request, the second processing unit 92 determines the second network slice instance
and a network function in the second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE
based on the information about the visited network of the user equipment UE.
[0152] Optionally, the information about the visited network includes: a slice type of the
first network slice instance and/or a visited public land mobile network identifier
VPLMN ID.
[0153] Optionally, the network function in the second network slice instance includes a
second session management SM function.
[0154] Optionally, the information about the second network slice instance includes: a slice
type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network slice
instance and/or an identifier of a second SM function of the second network slice
instance, and the information about the second network slice instance is used to instruct
the first SM function in the first network slice instance to address the second SM
function in the second network slice instance and interact with the second SM function
to establish a session connection.
[0155] An embodiment of the present invention provides a network slice instance selection
apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus includes: a third receiving unit 101,
configured to receive a second service request message, and a third sending unit 102,
configured to: after the third receiving unit 101 receives the second service request
message, send a network slice selection request to a second SSF device of an HPLMN.
Then, the third receiving unit 101 receives a slice selection response message sent
by the second SSF device. The second service request message is used to request a
first service and instruct the first SM function to establish a session connection
for the first service, the network slice selection request is used to instruct the
second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network slice instance in the HPLMN
for user equipment UE, and the slice selection response message includes information
about the second network slice instance selected in the HPLMN by the second SSF device.
[0156] In this embodiment of the present invention, the third receiving unit 101 and the
third sending unit 102 belong to the first SM function of the VPLMN. The first SM
function may be disposed as a separate device, or may be disposed in one device together
with another function.
[0157] Optionally, the network slice selection request includes: the slice type of the first
network slice instance.
[0158] Optionally, the network slice selection request further includes: a VPLMN ID.
[0159] Optionally, the network slice selection request further includes: an ID of the first
network slice instance and/or an identifier of the first SM function in the first
network slice instance, and the ID of the first network slice instance and/or the
identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice instance is used to
instruct a second SM function in the second network slice instance to address the
first SM function and interact with the first SM function to establish a session connection.
[0160] Persons skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present
invention may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore,
the present invention may use a form of hardware only embodiments, software only embodiments,
or embodiments with a combination of software and hardware. Moreover, the present
invention may use a form of a computer program product that is implemented on one
or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to a disk memory,
a CD-ROM, an optical memory, and the like) that include computer-usable program code.
[0161] The present invention is described with reference to the flowcharts and/or block
diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computer program product according
to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that computer
program instructions may be used to implement each process and/or each block in the
flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and/or a block
in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams. These computer program instructions may
be provided for a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded
processor, or a processor of any other programmable data processing device to generate
a machine, so that the instructions executed by a computer or a processor of any other
programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing a specific
function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in
the block diagrams.
[0162] These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer-readable memory that
can instruct the computer or any other programmable data processing device to work
in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory
generate an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus. The instruction apparatus
implements a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in
one or more blocks in the block diagrams.
[0163] These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or another programmable
data processing device, so that a series of operations and steps are performed on
the computer or the another programmable device, thereby generating computer-implemented
processing. Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or the another programmable
device provide steps for implementing a specific function in one or more processes
in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.
[0164] Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described,
persons skilled in the art can make changes and modifications to these embodiments
once they learn the basic inventive concept. Therefore, the following claims are intended
to be construed as to cover the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications
falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0165] Obviously, persons skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations
to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The present invention is intended to cover these modifications and variations
provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims
and their equivalent technologies.
1. A network slice selection method, comprising:
receiving, by a first slice selection function SSF device of a visited public land
mobile network VPLMN, a first service request message;
obtaining, by the first SSF device, roaming information of a user equipment UE according
to the first service request message; and
selecting, by the first SSF device, a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for
the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the roaming information of the UE comprises:
indication information indicating that the UE is a roaming subscriber, and/or a home
public land mobile network identifier HPLMN ID of the UE.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selecting, by the first SSF device,
a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE comprises:
determining, by the first SSF device, a slice type of the first network slice instance
in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selecting, by the first SSF device,
a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information
of the UE comprises:
determining, by the first SSF device, the first network slice instance in the VPLMN
for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE; or
determining, by the first SSF device, the first network slice instance and a network
function in the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the
roaming information of the UE.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the network function in the first network
slice instance comprises:
a mobility management MM function and/or a first session management SM function.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 5, wherein after the selecting,
by the first SSF device, a first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based
on the roaming information of the UE, the method further comprises:
sending, by the first SSF device, a network slice selection request to a second SSF
device of a home public land mobile network HPLMN, wherein the network slice selection
request is used to request the second SSF device of the HPLMN to select a second network
slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE; and
receiving, by the first SSF device, a slice selection response message from the second
SSF device, wherein the slice selection response message comprises information about
the second network slice instance, and the information about the second network slice
instance is used to instruct a first SM function in the first network slice instance
to address a second SM function and interact with the second SM function to establish
a session connection.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the network slice selection request comprises
a slice type of the first network slice instance.
8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the network slice selection request
further comprises a visited public land mobile network identifier VPLMN ID.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the information about the second network
slice instance comprises:
a slice type of the second network slice instance and/or an ID of the second network
slice instance and/or an identifier of the second SM function of the second network
slice instance.
10. A network slice selection method, comprising:
receiving, by a second slice selection function SSF device of a home public land mobile
network HPLMN, a network slice selection request, wherein the network slice selection
request carries information about a visited network of a user equipment UE;
after receiving the network slice selection request, selecting, by the second SSF
device, a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information
about the visited network of the UE; and
sending, by the second SSF device, a slice selection response message, wherein the
slice selection response message comprises information about the second network slice
instance.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information about the visited network
comprises:
a slice type of a first network slice instance and/or a visited public land mobile
network identifier VPLMN ID.
12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the selecting, by the second SSF device,
a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about
the visited network of the UE comprises:
determining, by the second SSF device, a slice type of the second network slice instance
for the UE in the HPLMN based on roaming information of the UE.
13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the selecting, by the second SSF device,
a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about
the visited network of the UE comprises:
determining, by the second SSF device, the second network slice instance in the HPLMN
for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the UE; or
determining, by the second SSF device, the second network slice instance and a network
function in the second network slice instance for the UE in the HPLMN based on the
information about the visited network of the UE.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the network function in the second network
slice instance comprises:
a second session management SM function.
15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the receiving, by a second SSF device of
an HPLMN, a network slice selection request comprises:
receiving, by the second SSF device of the HPLMN, the network slice selection request
from a first SSF device of a visited public land mobile network VPLMN.
16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the receiving, by a second SSF device of
an HPLMN, a network slice selection request comprises:
receiving, by the second SSF device of the HPLMN, the network slice selection request
from a first SM function of a first network slice instance.
17. A network slice selection method, comprising:
receiving, by a first session management SM function of a visited public land mobile
network VPLMN, a second service request message, wherein the second service request
message is used to request a first service and instruct the first SM function to establish
a session connection for the first service;
sending, by the first SM function, a network slice selection request to a second slice
selection function SSF device of a home public land mobile network HPLMN, wherein
the network slice selection request is used to instruct the second SSF device to select
a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for a user equipment UE; and
receiving, by the first SM function, a slice selection response message from the second
SSF device, wherein the slice selection response message comprises information about
the second network slice instance.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the network slice selection request comprises:
an ID of a first network slice instance and/or an identifier of the first SM function
in the first network slice instance, and the ID of the first network slice instance
and/or the identifier of the first SM function in the first network slice instance
is used to instruct a second SM function in the second network slice instance to address
the first SM function and interact with the first SM function to establish a session
connection.
19. A network slice selection apparatus, comprising:
a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first service request message; and
a first processing unit, configured to: obtain roaming information of a user equipment
UE according to the first service request message, and select a first network slice
instance in a visited public land mobile network VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming
information of the UE.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first processing unit is specifically
configured to:
determine a slice type of the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE
based on the roaming information of the UE.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first processing unit is specifically
configured to:
determine the first network slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming
information of the UE; or
determine the first network slice instance and a network function in the first network
slice instance in the VPLMN for the UE based on the roaming information of the UE.
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a first sending unit, configured to send a network slice selection request to a second
slice selection function SSF device of a home public land mobile network HPLMN, wherein
the network slice selection request is used to request the second SSF device of the
HPLMN to select a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for the UE; and
the first receiving unit is further configured to receive a slice selection response
message from the second SSF device, wherein the slice selection response message comprises
information about the second network slice instance, and the information about the
second network slice instance is used to instruct a first session management SM function
in the first network slice instance to address a second SM function and interact with
the second SM function to establish a session connection.
23. A network slice selection apparatus, comprising:
a second receiving unit, configured to receive a network slice selection request,
wherein the network slice selection request carries information about a visited network
of a user equipment UE;
a second processing unit, configured to: after the second receiving unit receives
the network slice selection request, select a second network slice instance in a home
public land mobile network HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited
network of the UE; and
a second sending unit, configured to send a slice selection response message, wherein
the slice selection response message comprises information about the second network
slice instance.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second processing unit is specifically
configured to:
determine, by the second receiving unit, a slice type of the second network slice
instance in the HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited network
of the UE.
25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second processing module is specifically
configured to:
determine, by the second receiving unit, the second network slice instance in the
HPLMN for the UE based on the information about the visited network of the UE; or
determine the second network slice instance and a network function in the second network
slice instance for the UE in the HPLMN based on the information about the visited
network of the UE.
26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second receiving module is specifically
configured to:
receive the network slice selection request from a first slice selection function
SSF device of a visited public land mobile network VPLMN.
27. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second receiving module is specifically
further configured to:
receive the network slice selection request from a first session management SM function
of a first network slice instance.
28. A network slice instance selection apparatus, comprising:
a third receiving unit, configured to receive a second service request message, wherein
the second service request message is used to request a first service and instruct
a first session management SM function to establish a session connection for the first
service; and
a third sending unit, configured to send a network slice selection request to a second
slice selection function SSF device of a home public land mobile network HPLMN, wherein
the network slice selection request is used to instruct the second SSF device to select
a second network slice instance in the HPLMN for a user equipment UE, wherein
the third receiving unit is further configured to receive a slice selection response
message from the second SSF device, wherein the slice selection response message comprises
information about the second network slice instance.